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*** SAUDI ARABIAN MEN BASKETBALL MAIN PAGE ***
 | Ifill shines among Asias brightest stars | |
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| |  | By Kiev Chesney (Starbroek News)
After shinning as one of the premier scorers in the Asian Basketball League, Andrew Ifill (197-G/F-79) has returned home for a breath of fresh air during the off-season break.
The 197cm (66) small forward played his rookie international basketball season with the Saudi Arabians An Naser Riyadh basketball team with whom he signed a one-year deal last October.
When I joined the team in late October, the season had already started and my coach told me that I have a lot of work to do, Ifill told Stabroek Sport in an exclusive interview.
The former Bounty Colts player did not back down from the challenge and instantly assumed the role of the primary scorer for his team.
The result was him finishing the season with an average 25 points per game (PPG), 10 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 blocks and 2.75 steals.
It was no easy task for me to get those numbers among some of Asias and Europes best players but I knew that I had the talent and I worked real hard over the years to get there so it was just a matter of me getting the work done when I got the opportunity, he recounted Ifill also revealed that the he had received offers from a few other teams in the league and may be changing teams depending on how lucrative the offers are.
Like the other international leagues, the Asian League has many former NBA players such as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (186-G-69, college: LSU) also known as Chris Jackson.
Ifill said that he thought his game had improved tremendously from playing professional basketball.
I have learnt lot from the experience of playing there because the fundamentals of the players are extremely high, he said.
However, I recognized that many of the players are not as athletic as the players in the NBA [National Basketball Association] and in some cases as some of the players that we have right here in Guyana.
Since I have been back I keep telling people that we have many players that can make it to play basketball professionally if they get the chance, he declared.
I have seen it with my own two eyes; we have a lot of talent here but only a few get the chance to shine abroad. I think that if sports in general and more specifically basketball in Guyana get more attention from the government our athletes can really go places, He said.
After discovering his love for the game at age seven, Ifill grew into one of the most promising `ballers that this country has produced.
He confessed that after being on the team which captured the Inter-Guiana Games title in 1996, he became determined to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional basketball player.
Ifill plans to focus on strength and speed training in the off-season followed by ball handling work as the break comes to a close.
He said that without persons who had helped and supported him from the start, including his family, his coach Phillip George, his fans, Rhondell Murphy, Godfrey Munroe, and Anthony de Hart it would not have been possible for him to achive his dream of playing professional basketball.
As far as making the jump to the NBA is concerned, Ifill said he would leave the negotiations up to his agents and would remain focused on trying to dominate in that league until an opportunity presents itself. |
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| Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's effort is not enough for the team | |
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by Eurobasket News - Apr 27, 2008 | | | In the first game of 21st Arab Clubs Championship Al Ittihad Jeddah beat De La Salle Al Quds Jerusalem 106:83. The game remained even in the first half, but then the team from Saudi Arabia went on a bigger lead. Having 77:62 after three quarters Al Ittihad Jeddah increased to 17 in the end of the game. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (186-G-69, college: LSU) led the game with 33 points and 6 steals, while Adel Guhani supported him with 29 points. Hoky Golesh ended up with 21 points and 7 rebounds in defeat.
In the second game Al Nasr won a thriller over Al Ittihad Jeddah 82:81. The team from Libya started with 24:20 and then created a wonderful streak in the second. The squads went to the lockers with 54:35 for Al Nasr. Al Ittihad Jeddah had a fabulous comeback to the game closing the gap at 64:62 after the third quarter. They could not win the game and upset the team from Lybia and did not advance to the next round. Ellia Zlotic paced the winners with 29 points and 11 rebounds, while Khaled Mohammad scored 16. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf shined again for Al Ittihad Jeddah with 27 points.
Maghreb De Fes edged Al Ittihad Jeddah 91:72 after the even score in the first quarter. The team from Morocco used some runs to take a control later in the game and had 23 points advantage after three quarters played. Alpha Traore (188-G-83) paced all the winners with 22 points and 8 rebounds.Macktar M'Baye nailed 16 and Mohamed Hjira posted 15. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf poured in 25 points in the losing effort. |
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| Memorial Fund in memory of Marvin Stone | |
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| | | Net Worth Sports, a business advisory group has teamed up with international agent, Dozie Mbonu to create a Memorial Fund in memory of Marvin Stone (6'10''-C-81, college: Louisville), who most recently was playing in Saudia Arabia and suffered a fatal heart attack. I cannot thank our friends, family and the international basketball community enough, especially his team in Saudia Arabia for all of their support, ' said Lois Stone, mother of Marvin. For more information on the Memorial Fund visit www.networthsports.com
As previously announced on Eurobasket, Marvin Stone died after halftime of a game in Saudi Arabia, collapsed in the locker room while the coach was talking to the team. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead (heart attack).
His teammate and former NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (6'1''-G-69) said Ittihad's coach was talking to the team Tuesday in the locker room at Jiddah's Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium at halftime against Ohud when Stone 'started sliding down from bench' and soon 'was on to the floor.'
'At first I think people thought he was having a seizure,' said Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, of Atlanta. 'We put him on floor. I was rubbing his head trying to calm him down and some people were pouring water on his face. Then some five or six guys picked him up and put him in an SUV and they drove him off.'
He said the team got word at the end of the game that Stone had passed away.
The 26-year old Stone played his senior season at Louisville, where he averaged 10.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in 2002-03.
Stone was a McDonald's All-American at Grissom High in Huntsville, Ala., where he was selected Mr. Basketball in 1999. He spent three seasons at Kentucky before transferring to Louisville. |
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| R.I.P Marvin Stone!!! | |
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The american import of Ittihad Jeddah Marvin Stone (208-C-81, agency: ACMT, college: Louisville) has passed away today during his team's game against Ohod in Elite Cup Semi-Finals due to a heart attack!!!!!!, he collapsed at the locker room during the half time. ! The saudi arabian community was shocked after this accident!!!
Stone who was only 27 years old had just arrived before few days coming from Cyprus as he was playing there.....The player had also a big carrer during his participation top leagues in europe such as Greece, Cyprus, Spain and Germany.....on arrivalto Saudi Arabia, he was 100% mediaclly fit..
He was a great person and great attitude..all the players came to the hospital crying..and the federation postpond tomorrows game..
May God give the patience to Marvin's family and be with them and bless his sole.....R.I.P Marvin Stone
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| Stone signs for Ittihad | |
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| | | Al Ittihad Jeddah basketball team management agreed terms with the American Center Marvin Stone (208-C-81, agency: ACMT, college: Louisville) to play for them this season.
Possesses a variety of skills, including great hands, passing out of the post and scoring to 15 feet Can also run the floor and defend with his 6-10 frame
Awards/Achievements:
USA U18 National Team -99
Hoop Summit on March 28, 1999
USA Today's 1998-99 Preseason Super 25 Team
NCAA Sweet 16 -01,02
SEC Tournament Winner -01
Conf.USA Tournament Champion -03
Spanish LEB1 Semifinals -05 |
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| Lewis speaks about his adventure in Saudi Arabia | |
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| | | The american center of Al Nahda team Gentry Lewis (204-F/C-81, college: Philander Smith) spoke about his career in Saudi Arabia in a small interview for Asia-Basket.......
1- Hello Gentry how are you?
I am fine just I just finished the season with Al Nahda. I am a little upset that we didnt make the playoffs which is set to start today in Jeddah. I had the opportunity to play with another team for the playoffs but I had a bruised tendon in my hand so I decided to get that taken care of and get ready for the summer and next season instead join a different team but inshullah the best team win.
2- So what do is your opinion about the country of Saudi Arabia in general?
I think Saudi is a great country. It is a place that I particularly think that is a good place to come to and relax and really get to know yoursefl because its not much to do here. There is no night life or things of that nature here so there is alot of time to work on my craft which is basketball. I also got the chance to focus on making me better as a person because its peace here and i think coming here I made myself better as a person, player and even possibly a husband when you think about my learning experiences here and all the things we dont appreciate normally sometimes like family because here thats there biggest thing Allah, family, then money and everything else but in America money is main concern.
3- What do you think about the Saudi Arabian League this year?
I think overall it is just like any other league in the world. Every country you have your good teams and bad teams. Its no different here than anywhere else except people say the competition here and in Middle East is not respected as in Europe. I think its truth to that but many countries have great teams such as Jordan, Syria, Iran etc. as well as Saudi Arabia. This particular league had a showcase of some good players both Saudi and American players. On any given night the best team could loose just as anywhere else in the world. You just try to win by all means necessary.
4- How was your coach with you?
I think he was a good coach. I think at many moments in the game he sometimes got caught up watching the game versus coaching in moments because of the excitement especially playing in places like Ohod, Ittihad, Ahli or Fattah because many fans come out and its enjoyable and sometimes he got a little to enjoyed and forgot he was coach at moments and became a fan. Overall he was good coach but his understanding and philosophy on certain things were not always best because he was so modern in his method of coaching but the game has changed and its continually changing everywhere in the world.
5- What about your teammates?
I enjoyed my teammates. Every country I have ever went I have enjoyed my teammates whether that be Poland, Turkey, or Montenegro and they always enjoy me they just think I get to emotional at times and tell me basketball is just a game. That was one similarity here as those places because win or loose the people here would be happy or okay but Darryl Jones (191-G-83, college: Cent.Arkansas) and I would be upset about a lost but they would just be like we will get the next one. My teammates were behind me here and helped me to become a better player and understand triple teams and double teams better because it was something that I faced every game I played here after the first game I played so they helped me in that area for after I leave here and I am very grateful and that taught me some Arabie.
6- According to offcial stats, You made around 21 ppg and 15 rpg, Was that your goal or you wanted more?
I just tried to pick spots and pass to open guy and I wouldnt have the season I am had if I didnt have teammates who understood me both Saudi teammates and my countrymate American Darryl Jones who cuts and hits open shots because many games I got doubled and triple teamed. Those guys like Sal, Fahad, Fiese, Turkey knocking down open shots made it alot easier for me to operate. The teams here position 4 and 5 players were a mix match because if he is true position 4 he is likely to small and if he is position 5 he is to big and I am quicker so thats the advantage. I just tried to create a match up problem.
7- You played usually in Europe, Did do you like it here in the Middle East?
Well, The Middle East is very nice and culture is very different from what I am used to but over all its a good place for me because I think I found peace here within myself... I think as far as a basketball standpoint many teams here are competitive with the Americans and foreigners they bring in as well as the locals.. The league is like any other league it has your good teams and bad teams but I can respect about here in Saudi is even your worst team plays hard...Thats really all you can out of any player.
8- What do you think about the players here in Saudi?
I think every team had foreigners either from USA, Serbia, or Africa to put in the mix with their local players. All of which of foreign players were good players and like me had to make an adjustment to things here in Saudi from the lifestyle to the playing. A few players I remember in particular were like Souleymane Camara (211-F/C-79, agency: ACMT, college: Kentucky) and Jihad Muhammad (180-G-84, agency: EM-PA, college: Cincinnati) from Ohod we became friends and talked throughout the game, Chris Jackson (211-C-82) or Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (186-G-69, college: LSU) from Ittihad he was just like a big brother to every player in the league and he gave me the nickname 'I DO THIS' because that was what I would say when teams used to double me or triple and I score still so it stuck with me also Akeem Wright (198-G-84, college: Kansas St.) from Qadsia he basically lived with us and he was very good player. Then you also had Saudi players like Ahmed from Qadsia and good locals at Ansar and Al Hilal had one very good 4/5 young player who I think can play in Europe Top League and he is young.
9- What are your plans for next year?
I dont know yet, I have a good team of people working for me and with me both in Europe and Asia such so its up to the teams to contact them I am just focused on getting healthier and better in all aspects of the game...
10- Thank you for your time.
Thank you for yours and Eurobasket keep doing what it is you do because me and my wife sit on here for hours looking at updates |
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| Battles moves to Al Wahda | |
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| | | Al Wahda basketball team management agreed terms with the American Center Malcolm Battles (205-F/C-79, agency: HM Sports Agency, college: N.Mexico) (205-F/C-79, agency: HM Sports Agency, college: N.Mexico) to play for them this season.
He is very strong and athletic player; Uses his strength and athleticism to grab many rebounds and block shots; A variety of offensive moves ranging from low post to three points shooting with high percentages. Good speed and a very mobile player.
Awards/Achievements:
2000/01 Newcomer of the year, 2nd Team All Conference
1999/00 JUCO All-Conference 1st Team, Conference Rebound leader, Top 5 Scorer.
1998/99 All Freshman 1st Team, All-conference 3rd Team, All-Tournament Team, Top 25 JUCO All-American
Duarte, San Francisco Tourneo -07 (MVP): 33.6ppg, 12.3rpg, 4.6apg |
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| Market News | |
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| | | - Al Fateh basketball team management have finally found their 3rd import fo play with Cheikh Ya Ya Dia (203-F/C-74, agency: Interperformances, college: Georgetown) and Jermaine German in the Elite Cup which will begin in the coming few days....The player is the american center Wayne Houston (205-F-73, college: S.Indiana)....
Houston is familiar to Middle East as he played in Syria (Three seasons) and Bahrain before adding to his career in Uruguay, Spain and Ireland...
- After keeping both Ismail Muhammad (198-F-83, college: Georgia Tech) and Priest Lauderdale (221-C-73, college: Central State) in the team, Arthur Davis (193-G-77, college: St.Joseph's) will be the 3rd part of Al Hilal's setup for the Elite Cup.....
Davis has just finished playing in Cyrpus, He has an additional experience in having a chance to go and play in Portugal, Domenican Republic, China and some US leagues.... |
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Prince Talal - Arab and Saudi basket federations president |
SAUDI
ARABIAN BASKETBALL FED.
P.O. Box 4697, Riyadh 11412
Tel: 966 1 482 1713, 966 1 488 7949, 966 1 482 1627
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